The North Myrtle Beach Department of Public Safety is asking for the public’s assistance for information regarding a recent kidnapping and robbery.
At approximately 10:50 p.m. on July 7, 2010, two male juveniles (victims) were picked up by two black male suspects on the corner of 1st Avenue South and Ocean Boulevard . The victims rode with the suspects for approximately two hours and then the victims requested to be dropped off at their hotel. At that point, approximately 12:55 a.m. on July 8, the two suspects drove the victims behind a condominium complex off of 2nd Avenue North , and the suspects held the victims against their will and robbed them of a wallet and cash. The victims were released after the robbery without being harmed.
The victims described the vehicle as a white Honda-type vehicle with custom rims, tinted windows, black leather interior, custom radio with neon blue lighting and possibly a tail fin on the vehicle’s trunk.
Victims describe the suspects as calling themselves Travis and Justin. The suspect who called himself Travis is described as a 6-ft. tall black male approximately 18-21 years old and having a stocky build. He was wearing a white T-shirt, dark blue jeans, black sneakers and a large gold chain and medallion around his neck. The suspect who called himself Justin is described as a short, black male approximately 18-21 years old wearing a white T-shirt, dark-colored baggie shorts and black sneakers.
Detectives with North Myrtle Beach Public Safety Department located security camera footage of the suspect known as Travis. The video is from a gas station in Little River, where the victims indicated they had stopped with the suspects between 11:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.
Anyone who has any information or who may have seen something related to the kidnapping and robbery is encouraged to call North Myrtle Beach Detective Joel McGartlin at (843) 280-5506.
The legal battle between former Public Safety Director William Bailey and the City of North Myrtle Beach appears to be heating up. In response to a lawsuit where Mr. Bailey claims wrongful dismissal by the City, the City has fired back. The City claims William Bailey committed fraud by telling the City Manager that he (Bailey) needed more time to consider resigning or face a firing by City Officials. The City claims Mr. Bailey had already filed his retirement papers when he made his statement about more time to City Manager John Smithson. Both sides in the case now want damages and punitive measures against each other.
Authorities are searching for a man who got away from County Police after having been arrested in North Myrtle Beach. Police are on the lookout for 45 year old Jeffrey Collins. Mr. Collins escaped from Police while he was being treated for an injury at a medical facility in Conway. He had been taken into custody Monday by NMB officers following a bizarre auto chase which had begun in Brunswick County. During the chase he was said to have stolen at least two vehicles and to even had hailed a taxi which took him to where he was arrested at Third Avenue South. Collins was last seen late Monday night in the Murrells Inlet area but he eluded police there and he has been spotted in the last two days.
